Botswana Travel Advice, Safety & Security 2027 Expert Guide
Botswana is one of the safest places in Africa and also one of the most friendliest to travellers. This travel advise for Botswana contains the latest information on the travel status of all tourists to Botswana.
Botswana is one of the most stable countries in Africa as it has the longest continuous multi-party democracy. In 2024 Botswana was named one of the most peaceful countries in Africa, and number 50 in the globe on the Global Peace Index, equal to that of most European countries . It is regularly ranked as one of the safest countries in Africa, with a tranquil history, minimal crime, modern infrastructure and friendly people.
Working out all the travel, health and admission requirements can be difficult when visiting a foreign country therefore we have produced a useful breakdown of the normal entry requirements for visiting Botswana. We urge you verify the latest Botswana travel advice with your embassy and contact us with any questions.
Regular Entry Requirements
Below are the standard entry requirements to be considered:
Passports
The following standard entry requirements should be noted.
- Passports must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry to Botswana
- Passports must include at least three blank pages, with two clear pages facing each other
- Dual nationals using two different passports can only enter the country on the same passport they used to exit the previous country
Botswana Travel Advice – Travelling with children
As part of the regional anti-child-trafficking measures the Botswana government requires all children (under 18 years of age) who are travelling into or through Botswana to provide:
- Valid passport (valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry to Botswana and with 3 blank pages)
- Full unabridged Birth Certificate (detailing particulars of the child and parents)
- Parental consent affidavit signed by the parent or parents not accompanying the child
- Certified copies of identity documents (e.g. passport) of the parent or parents not present
- Visa – if required
Please note: a brief (abbreviated) birth certificate will not be accepted. If just one of the parents is travelling with the child, a consent affidavit from the other parent should be provided, along with certified copies of the parent’s ID. If both parents are not travelling then both need to sign the declaration, designate the adult accompanying the child and submit certified copies of their IDs.
Botswana Travel Advice – Health Requirements
No vaccinations or immunisations are required to enter Botswana or South Africa.
Yellow Fever is not present in Botswana itself but any visitor arriving in Botswana from a country identified as ‘at risk’ of yellow fever would need to produce confirmation of immunisation. This is to avoid the entry of Yellow Fever into Botswana. Full list of nations at risk for Yellow Fever on the WHO site.
Malaria is present in northern Botswana from November to May/June, though this can fluctuate depending on when the rains start. It occurs mostly in Ngamiland (Okavango) but also in other areas such as Chobe, Boteti, Tutume and even as far south as Bobirwa. Therefore, all tourists to these locations during the high risk months should contact with their own Medical Doctor, or national health advice, regarding the usage of anti-malarial tablets before departure to find out which brand is best for their needs. For example, the USA’s Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the UK’s Travel Health Pro, as advised by the National Health Service.
Botswana Travel Advice- Visas
Most tourists to Botswana do not need a visa for tourism and can stay up to 90 days without a visa. Those who do need a visa can apply via the new online visa system. The Botswana Government evisa website also provides a list of nations that require a visa to enter Botswana. More information is accessible on Botswana Tourism Page.
Below is a summary but travellers should always check the current travel advise as well.